Retractable leash locking assemblies, and systems and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

A system, comprising: an axle structure defining an axis of rotation; an engagement plate translatable between a first position and a second position in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, the engagement plate comprising one or more tooth protrusions and one or more ramp recesses; a spool rotatably movable about the axle structure, the spool comprising one or more tooth recesses configured to mate with the one or more tooth protrusions of the engagement plate responsive to a movement of the engagement plate into the second position; and a release ring at least partially rotatable between a first release ring position and a second release ring position, the release ring comprising one or more ramps; wherein, responsive to a predetermined movement of an actuator, the release ring is causes the tooth protrusions of the engagement plate to disengage with the tooth recesses of the spool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/739,251, filed Sep. 30, 2018 and titled “SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR PROVIDING RETRACTABLE LEASH ASSEMBLIES,” which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to novelretractable leash assemblies, and in particular some embodiments of thepresent disclosure relate to receptacles, locking mechanisms, andharnessing features associated with such novel retractable leashassemblies.

BACKGROUND

Conventional retractable leash devices are commonly used by pet ownersas a means of automatically recovering slack in a connected leash astheir pets move about. Conventional retractable leash devices offer aconvenient solution that eases the burden on humans when interactingwith animals. Conventional retractable leash devices are only equippedwith rudimentary locking mechanisms that are far too cumbersome, andrequire housing structures that are too bulky for the convenience thatthey provide. Moreover, conventional retractable leashes do not providean effective mechanism for releasable attachment to an animal harness.Thus, for example, after someone has used the leash to walk their dog tothe park and finally arrived in an area where they can unleash the dog,they must continue to hold or otherwise keep track of the conventionalretractable leash devices until they are ready to reattach the leash tothe dog and resume use of the retractable leash device. Not only is thisvery inconvenient, but it can also give rise to additional costs andadditional risk.

For example, humans may set down, forget about, or otherwise misplacetheir retractable leash devices while there animals are unleashed. Suchmisplacing such retractable leash devices can be the cause of greatfrustration, and result in repetitive purchases of new retractable leashdevices, and corresponding increase costs. Additionally, the loss ofsuch retractable leash devices when a user is out and about with theiranimal can give rise to additional risks such as safety risks. Forexample, after a user has misplaced their retractable leash device, theunleashed dog may more easily dart out into the road or into areas thatare otherwise unsafe.

Moreover, conventional hand-held retractable leash devices areconfigured with leash buckles that attach to the animal's neck collar,which in many instances can give rise to neck or throat pain, or otherdamage to the animal.

Accordingly, what is missing and therefore needed, is an advancedretractable leash solution that addresses the foregoing problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the instant disclosure,systems and methods for advanced retractable leash solutions arepresented. In accordance with some embodiments, example systems of thepresent disclosure includes one or more of: a harness configured to bereleasably attached to a portion of an animal; a retractable leashassembly comprising a first structural feature and a second structuralfeature; a receptacle coupled with the harness, the receptaclecomprising a first structural feature and a second structural feature;wherein the first structural feature of the retractable leash assemblyis configured to be releasably mated with the first structural featureof the receptacle upon application of a force on the retractable leashassembly causing at least a portion of the retractable leash to move ina first direction; and wherein the second structural feature of theretractable leash assembly is configured to be releasably mated with thesecond structural feature of the receptacle upon application of a forceon the retractable leash assembly causing at least a portion of theretractable leash to move in a second direction.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, theretractable leash assembly may include a housing enclosing a spool; alocking assembly coupled to the spool (and in some embodiments,including the spool or one or more features of the spool); and a leashcoupled at one end with the spool inside the housing, with a portion ofthe leash extending outside the housing through an orifice or keyholethrough the housing. The housing may include a handle portion and aleash enclosure portion, where the spool, locking assembly, and at leasta portion of the leash are substantially enclosed within the leashenclosure portion of the housing. The spool may be configured to rotateabout an axis, and the handle portion is positioned outside theperimeter of the spool and substantially aligned with, parallel to, orwithin the plane of rotation of the spool.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a secondend of the leash is coupled to a clasp outside the housing, the clasphaving a dimension larger than at least one dimension of the orificethrough the housing to prohibit the clasp from passing through theorifice. In some embodiments the clasp is configured specifically forattachment to a portion of one or more embodiments of the novelharnesses or leash receptacles discussed in the present disclosure. Insome embodiments, the clasp is configured to prevent or otherwisediscourage attachment to a traditional neck collar of an animal.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the firststructural feature of the retractable leash assembly includes a firstrigid formation protruding from at least a portion of the housing of theretractable leash device, and extending beyond at least a portion of theleash enclosure portion of such housing in at least one radial directionrelative to the spool. In some instances throughout the presentdisclosure, such an example first rigid formation protruding in theaforementioned manner is referred to as a nose of the retractable leashassembly.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the firststructural feature of the receptacle forms a first aperture within afirst rigid formation protruding outward from a support plate of thereceptacle. The first aperture of the first rigid formation of thereceptacle may be fitted to receive and at least partially circumscribeat least a portion of the first rigid formation of the retractable leashassembly. In some instances throughout the present disclosure, such anexample first rigid formation protruding in the aforementioned manner isreferred to as a nose of the retractable leash assembly.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the firststructural feature of the retractable leash assembly may include adepression formation (as an alternative or in addition to a protrudingnose formation) within at least a portion of the leash enclosure portionof the housing in at least one radial direction relative to the spool.In some such embodiments, the first structural feature of the receptaclemay complementarily include a protrusion extending from the first rigidformation extending outward from a support plate of the receptacle. Thefirst protrusion of the receptacle, in such an embodiment, may be fittedto be positioned within and be at least partially circumscribed by atleast a portion of the depression formation of the leash enclosureportion of the housing of a retractable leash assembly. In other words,instead of or in addition to the nose protrusion being formed on thehousing of the retractable leash assembly and configured for mating witha depression, slot, hole, cavity, or other aperture in the receptacle, anose protrusion may be formed on a portion of the receptacle itself andconfigured for mating with a depression, slot, hole, cavity, or otheraperture in the housing of the receptacle leash assembly.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, thesecond structural feature of the retractable leash assembly includes afemale snap-fit joint formation. Additionally or alternatively, in someembodiments the second structural feature of the receptacle includes amale snap-fit joint formation complementary to the female snap-fit jointformation. In some such embodiments, one or more of the female snap-fitjoint formation and the male snap-fit joint formation comprise acantilever snap-fit joint, a U-shaped snap-fit joint, a torsion snap-fitjoint, a ball snap-fit joint, and an annular snap joint.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, thesecond structural feature of the receptacle comprises a male snap-fitjoint formation complementary to the female snap-fit joint formationwhere the male snap-fit joint formation and female snap-fit jointformation are separably complimentary. Separably complimentary refersgenerally to the ability of two or more matable (sometimes referred toherein as “engageable” or “coupleable”) structures to be repeatedlymated and unmated (or engaged and disengaged, or coupled and uncoupled)upon application of a sufficient force bringing the two or more togetheror drawing two for more apart. For example, as it pertains to thesnap-fit joints discussed here, separably complimentary generally refersto the ability of the male snap-fit joint formation and the femalesnap-fit formation to be mated and unmated (e.g., coupled and uncoupled)upon application of a sufficient force in a first and second direction,respectively, without causing a substantial plastic deformation (e.g.,inelastic deformation) in one or more of the structures that define themale snap-fit joint formation and the female snap-fit formation.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, thesecond structural feature of the retractable leash assembly may includea female snap-fit joint formation. The second structural feature of thereceptacle may include a male snap-fit joint formation complementary tothe female snap-fit joint formation; and the male snap-fit jointformation and female snap-fit joint formations may be separablycomplimentary.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the malesnap-fit joint formation includes a partially deflectable cantilevermember having a first protrusion, and wherein the female snap-fit jointformation includes a first depression configured to receive at least aportion of the first protrusion of the cantilever member during ajoining operation. During an example joining operation the cantilevermember may be partially deflected as it is forced along a surfaceproximal to the first depression. In some embodiments, during an examplejoining operation, such an example cantilever member at least partiallyrecovers from the deflection when the protrusion of the cantilevermember is substantially aligned with a first depression region of anfemale snap-fit formation.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the malesnap-fit joint formation and the female snap-fit joint formation areinvertably complementary as well as separably complimentary. Invertablycomplimentary, as used in connection with two or more matable (sometimesreferred to herein as “engageable” or “coupleable”) structures herein,refers generally to the ability of the structures be mated and unmated(or engaged and disengaged, or coupled and uncoupled) in a similarfashion when one such structure approaches the other such structure ineither of at least two orientations (e.g., right-side up, orupside-down, or otherwise flipped about given axis) during a joiningoperation, the one orientation referred to as being “inverted” relativeto the other(s).

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the firstprotrusion of an example cantilever member of a second structuralfeature of an example receptacle (or, alternatively or additionally, afirst protrusion of an example cantilever member of a second structuralfeature of an example housing of a retractable leash assembly) mayinclude one or more of a hook structure, a stud structure, and a beadstructure.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, adepression formation in the leash enclosure portion of the housing of aretractable leash assembly (or, alternatively or additionally, adepression formation in the second structural feature of a receptacleassembly) may include one or more of a hole formation, an undercutformation, and a countersink formation. In some embodiments, the firststructural feature of the retractable leash assembly comprises one ormore of a countersink, hole, and undercut formation located within atleast a portion of the leash enclosure portion of the housing in atleast one radial direction relative to the spool. And in some suchembodiments, the first structural feature of the receptacle comprises afirst protrusion from a rigid formation extending outward from a supportplate of the receptacle, the first protrusion fitted to be positionedwithin and at least partially circumscribed by at least a portion of oneor more of the countersink, hole, and undercut formation.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, anattached condition may be achieved when: the first structural feature ofthe retractable leash assembly is mated with the first structuralfeature of the receptacle, and the second structural feature of theretractable leash assembly is mated with the second structural featureof the receptacle. Conversely, a detached condition may be achievedwhen: a mated condition between first structural feature of theretractable leash assembly and the first structural feature of thereceptacle is disengaged, and a mated condition between the secondstructural feature of the retractable leash assembly and the secondstructural feature of the receptacle is disengaged.

In accordance with some embodiments, and beginning with the retractableleash assembly in detached condition with respect to the receptacle,application of a force on the retractable leash assembly that mayotherwise cause at least a portion of the retractable leash assembly tomove in the second direction—and to thereby engage a mated conditionbetween the second structural feature of the retractable leash assemblyand the second structural feature of the receptacle—is substantiallyprohibited until the first structural feature of the retractable leashassembly and the first structural feature of the receptacle are in amated condition.

In accordance with some embodiments, in the attached condition, theretractable leash assembly is held in a substantially fixed positionrelative to the position of the receptacle.

In accordance with some embodiments, application of a force on theretractable leash assembly may cause at least a portion of theretractable leash assembly to move in a third direction and cause themated state between the second structural feature of the retractableleash assembly and the second structural feature of the receptacle tobecome disengaged. In some examples disclosed herein, such anapplication of a force on the retractable leash assembly is achievedwhen a user grips the handle portion of the retractable leash assemblyand lifts upward.

In accordance with some embodiments, application of a force on theretractable leash assembly may cause at least a portion of theretractable leash assembly to move in a fourth direction and cause themated state between the first structural feature of the retractableleash assembly and the first structural feature of the receptacle to bedisengaged. In some examples disclosed herein, such an application of aforce causing at least a portion of the retractable leash assembly tomove in the fourth direction is a substantially smaller force thanapplication of force causing at least a portion of the retractable leashassembly to move in the third direction. Indeed, in some embodiments,the structural relationship between the first structural feature of theretractable leash assembly and the first structural feature of thereceptacle may allow the retractable leash assembly to pivot as theapplication of force causing the retractable leash assembly to move inthe third direction occurs, the pivot movement itself (alone or togetherwith other movements) generating the application of force sufficient tocause at least a portion of the retractable leash assembly to move inthe fourth direction.

Though the application of force to cause the retractable leash assemblyto move in the fourth direction may be small in comparison to theapplication of force to cause the retractable leash assembly to move inthe third direction (assuming such force is applied to move theretractable leash assembly in the third direction), it should be notedthat in accordance with some embodiments such movements in the fourthdirection may be prohibited unless and until they move in in the thirddirection has taken place. That is, beginning with the retractable leashassembly in attached condition with respect to the receptacle, inaccordance with some embodiments an application of a force on theretractable leash assembly causing at least a portion of the retractableleash assembly to move in the fourth direction is substantiallyprohibited until the second structural feature of the retractable leashassembly 200 and the second structural feature of the receptacle 400achieve an unmated condition pursuant to a movement in a third direction(e.g., substantially upward).

In accordance with some embodiments, application of a force directly orindirectly on the second structural feature of the receptacle (e.g., notdirectly on the second structural feature of the retractable leashassembly) disengages a mated condition between a second structuralfeature of the receptacle and a second structural feature of theretractable leash assembly.

In accordance with some embodiments, the first direction and the seconddirection are different directions; in some instances the firstdirection and the second direction are substantially orthogonal relativeto each other in at least one plane; in some instances the angle betweenthe first direction and the second direction is between 10° and 170°degrees in at least one plane.

In accordance with some embodiments, the third direction and the fourthdirection are different directions; in some instances, the thirddirection and the fourth direction are substantially orthogonal relativeto each other in at least one plane; and in some instances the anglebetween the third direction and the fourth direction is between 10° and170° degrees in at least one plane.

Referring now to harnesses of the present disclosure specifically, inaccordance with some embodiments the harness comprises a back pad and anundercarriage pad, where the back pad configured to cover at least aportion of the back of an animal, and the undercarriage portionconfigured to cover at least a portion of the chest of an animal. Insome embodiments, at least a portion of the back pad and theundercarriage pad are nonrigid (I.E. at least partially flexible) suchthat either or both may adapt to the form of the animal's body to whichthe harness is to be attached. In some embodiments, the harness isequipped with one or more front straps, the one or more front strapsconnecting a front side portion of the back pad to a front side portionof the undercarriage pad. In some embodiments, the harness is equippedwith one or more rear straps, the one or more rear straps connecting arear side portion of the back pad to a rear side portion of theundercarriage pad.

As the technology of the present disclosure is intended and adaptablefor use with any shape or size of animal, in some embodiments harnessesof the present disclosure may be equipped with adjustable straps. Forexample, one or more of the front straps and rear straps may beadjustable in length. In another example, one or more of the frontstraps and rear straps may be made, in whole or in part of elastomericmaterials to provide additional flexibility as an animal moves about.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments one or more of thefront straps and rear straps connect to one or more of the front sideportion and the rear side portion of one or more of the back pad andundercarriage pad via a buckle. Still further embodiments, one or moreof the front straps and rear straps may be adjustable via one or more ofa ladder-lock adjuster, a slider adjuster, a hook and loop fastener, andan adjustable buckle fastener.

As disclosed in further detail herein, in some embodiments the supportplate of the receptacle is attached to or otherwise coupled with theback pad of the harness. In some embodiments the attachment or couple ispermanent, while in other embodiments the attachment or couple isreleasable to enable detachment under certain conditions. In someembodiments, the support plate of the receptacle is attached to thenon-rigid back pad, and at least a portion of one or more of the firststructural feature of the receptacle and the second structural featureof the receptacle protrude from the support plate in a substantiallyperpendicularly direction in at least one plane. In some embodiments,the substantially perpendicular direction is substantially verticalrelative to the earth's surface when the harness is attached to afour-legged standing animal.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure,the outer surface of the housing of the retractable leash assembly issubstantially symmetrical about at least one plane. In still furtherembodiments, the outer surface of the housing of the retractable leashassembly is substantially symmetrical about at least two orthogonalplanes. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the housing of theretractable leash assembly is substantially symmetrical about at leastone plane; and where in the at least one plane is substantially parallelwith the plane of rotation of the spool.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, theretractable leash assembly includes an actuator assembly having anactuatable component (e.g., a button, a trigger, a slider, etc.) movablymounted on an outer portion of the handle portion of the housing. Insome embodiments, the actuatable component is configured to passivelypermit operation of a lock mechanism (also referred to herein as a lockassembly) when in a first position, and actively disengage the lockmechanism when in a second position. In some embodiments, the actuatablecomponent is configured to actively engage or passively permit operationof a lock mechanism when in a first position, and actively disengage orpassively permit disengagement of the lock mechanism when in a secondposition.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, when theactuatable component is cause to move into the second position, a clockspring within the housing and coupled with the spool is caused to becomeunrestricted by the lock mechanism. In some embodiments, when the clockspring is unrestricted by the lock mechanism (and the leash wound aroundthe spool has been at least partially drawn out), the clock springcauses the spool to spin in a direction that causes a portion of theleash drawn out of the housing to become really wound about the spool,thus retracting back into the housing. In some embodiments, andunrestricted clock spring within the housing is configured to rewind theleash around his spool until one or more of a first condition, a secondcondition, and a third condition occurs. In some embodiments, the firstcondition occurs when the length of the leash is wound to the point thatthe clasp on the second end of the leash reaches the orifice of thehousing. In some embodiments, the second condition occurs whenresistance caused from a pulling force on the leash overcomes the forcebeing applied to the spool by the clock spring. In some embodiments, thethird condition occurs when the clock spring unwinds to a point that itcannot fit any more of the leash material around the barrel of the spoolwithout further restraining the rotatable movement of the spool onaccount of friction of the leash with another structure within thehousing.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, theretractable leash assembly is equipped with a subsystem (also referredto herein as a system) comprising a lock assembly, the subsystemconfigured to enable controlled release and retraction of a leashresponsive to various movements of an actuator. In some embodiments ofthe present disclosure, the lock assembly subsystem may include one ormore of: an axle structure extending at least partially between aportion of a first support and a portion of a second support, the axlestructure defining an axis of rotation; an engagement platecircumscribing a portion of the axle structure and rotatably fixedrelative to the first support, the engagement plate translatable betweena first engagement position and a second engagement position in adirection parallel to the axis of rotation, the engagement platecomprising one or more tooth protrusions and one or more ramp recesses;a spool circumscribing a portion of the axle structure, the spoolrotatably movable about the axle structure, the spool comprising one ormore tooth recesses configured to mate with the one or more toothprotrusions of the engagement plate responsive to a movement of theengagement plate into the second position; and a release ring at leastpartially rotatable between a first release ring position and a secondrelease ring position about the axis of rotation, the release ringcomprising one or more ramps. In some embodiments, responsive to apredetermined movement of an actuator, the release ring is rotated fromthe first release ring position into the second release ring position,causing the one or more ramps to become misaligned with one or more ofthe ramp recesses and to push the engagement plate toward the firstsupport and into the first engagement position such that the toothprotrusions of the engagement plate disengage with the tooth recesses ofthe spool.

In some embodiments, subsystems of the present disclosure furtherincludes: a clutch spring compressed between a portion of the firstsupport and the engagement plate, the clutch spring biasing translationof the engagement plate toward the second position. In some embodiments,subsystems of the present disclosure further include: a clock springcoupled to the spool; wherein rotation of the spool in a first directioncauses rotation of a going barrel of the clock spring in the firstdirection, the rotation of the going barrel in the first directioncausing a coil of the clock spring to tighten. In some embodiments, whenthe tooth protrusions of the engagement plate are caused to disengagewith the tooth recesses of the spool, the clock spring causes the spoolto rotate in a second direction. In some embodiments, the firstdirection of spool rotation and second direction of spool rotation arein opposite directions. For example, in some embodiments the firstdirection of spool rotation may be clockwise and the second direction ofspool rotation may be counterclockwise. For example, in otherembodiments the first direction of spool rotation may becounterclockwise and the second direction of spool rotation may beclockwise.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a second end of a leashis coupled with the spool, and a first end of the leash may be attachedto a harness on an animal. In some embodiments, and animal's pullingforce on a first end of the leash may cause the spool to rotate in thefirst direction.

In some embodiments, an actuator of the system comprises a slider; andwherein the predetermined movement involves the slider being moved froma first slider position into a second slider position. When such apredetermined movement occurs, the release ring may be caused to rotatefrom a second release ring position into a first release ring positionsuch that the one or more ramps of the release ring are caused to alignwith the one or more ramp recesses of the engagement plate. Alignment ofthe one or more ramps with the one or more ramp recesses may permit theengagement plate to be forced into the second engagement position by theclutch spring such that the tooth protrusions of the engagement plateengage with the tooth recesses of the spool. In some embodiments,movement of the slider from a second slider position into a first sliderposition causes the release ring to rotate from the second release ringposition into the first release ring position such that the one or moreramps move at least partially into the one or more ramp recesses of theengagement plate.

In some embodiments, rotation of the release ring from the secondrelease ring position into the first release ring position allows theclutch spring to push the engagement plate into the first engagementposition such that the tooth protrusions of the engagement plate engagewith the tooth recesses of the spool and obstruct the spool fromrotation in at least one direction. In some embodiments, a portion ofthe first side support and a portion of the second side support areconfigured to be coupled in a fixed spatial relationship relative toeach other.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may include an actuationassembly comprising an actuator (e.g., a slider, trigger, button, etc.)coupled with an actuator tang, the slider movable between a first sliderposition and a second slider position, the actuator tang coupled to therelease ring such that the actuator tang causes the release ring torotate in a first direction responsive to the slider being moved fromthe first slider position into the second slider position, and causesthe release ring to rotate in a second direction responsive to theslider being moved from the second slider position into the first sliderposition. In some such embodiments, rotation of the release ring in thefirst direction responsive to the slider being moved from the firstslider position into the second slider position causes the ramps of therelease ring to push the engagement plate upward toward the firstsupport such that the tooth protrusions of the engagement platedisengage with the tooth recesses of the spool and enable the spool torotate about the axle structure unobstructed by the engagement plate.

In some embodiments, an actuation assembly of the present disclosure mayinclude a button or a slider further coupled with an actuator tang, theactuator tang further coupled with a wireform, and the wireform furthercoupled to the release ring. A mouth bulge member many be disposedbetween the button and the button linkage member, the mouth bulge memberhaving an aperture through which the button may be coupled with thebutton linkage member. The aperture within the mouth bulge member mayfurther provide a track creating a path along which the button may bemoved, movement upon which may further cause button linkage member tomove, in turn causing the actuator tang to move along a path. Theactuator tang's movement along such path may cause the wireform to pushor pull on a portion of the release ring and cause the release ring torotate in a first direction or a second direction.

In some embodiments, the actuator tang includes a plurality of pins, theplurality of pins being configured to be held within a track formed inat least a portion of the first support and the second support. Inembodiments where a first housing member provides the first support, anda second housing member provides the second support, the track withinwhich the actuator tang's plurality of pins may be held comprises acutout within the structure of the first housing member and asubstantially matching/mirroring cutout within the structure of thesecond housing member. In some embodiments the cutout within thestructure of the first housing member and cutout within the structure ofthe second housing member define a movement path for the actuator tangin response to movement of the button. In some embodiments, the movementpath is in the shape of an arc that substantially matches the radialprofile of the release ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technology disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the includedfigures. The figures include drawings that are provided for purposes ofillustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments ofthe disclosed technology. These drawings are provided to facilitate thereader's understanding of the disclosed technology and shall not beconsidered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability thereof. Itshould be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawingsare not necessarily made to scale.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example system in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, here depicting a perspective viewof an example retractable leash assembly releasably attached to anexample complementary receptacle in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example retractable leash assembly in a detachedcondition with respect to an example receptacle, in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C illustrates another view of an example system in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure, here depicting a topplan view of an example retractable leash assembly releasably attachedto an example complementary receptacle in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D illustrates another view of an example system in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure, here depicting abottom plan view of an example retractable leash assembly releasablyattached to an example complementary receptacle in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1E illustrates another view of an example system in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure, here depicting a rearside elevation view of an example retractable leash assembly releasablyattached to an example complementary receptacle in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1F illustrates another view of an example system in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure, here depicting afront side elevation view of an example retractable leash assemblyreleasably attached to an example complementary receptacle in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1G illustrates another view of an example system in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure, here depicting aright side elevation view of an example retractable leash assemblyreleasably attached to an example complementary receptacle in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1H illustrates another view of an example system in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure, here depicting a leftside elevation view of an example retractable leash assembly releasablyattached to an example complementary receptacle in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an example retractable leashassembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates a top plan view of an example retractable leashassembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2C illustrates a right side elevation view of an exampleretractable leash assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded view of an example retractable leashassembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates a portion of the exploded view depicted in 3A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3C illustrates a portion of the exploded view depicted in 3A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3D illustrates a portion of the exploded view depicted in 3A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3E illustrates a portion of the exploded view depicted in 3A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example system equipped with one or more computingfeatures in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example computing module that may be used inimplementing various features of embodiments of the disclosedtechnology.

To aid in the detailed description and related discussion concerning oneor more of the above figures, a relative direction legend is sometimesprovided in connection with the drawings. The relative direction legenddesignates a relative forward facing direction, a relative rearwardfacing direction, and relative upward facing direction, a relativedownward facing direction, a relative left facing direction, and arelative right facing direction. It should be appreciated that thedirection legend is merely a construct for a convention for discussingthe figures as shown, and is in no way intended to be limiting on thescope of the present disclosure.

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that theinvention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and thatthe disclosed technology be limited only by the claims and theequivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In accordance embodiments of the present disclosure, example systems ofthe present disclosure may include one or more of: a harness configuredto be releasably attached to a portion of an animal; a retractable leashassembly comprising a first structural feature and a second structuralfeature; a receptacle coupled with the harness, the receptaclecomprising a first structural feature and a second structural feature;wherein the first structural feature of the retractable leash assemblyis configured to be releasably mated with the first structural featureof the receptacle upon application of a force on the retractable leashassembly causing at least a portion of the retractable leash to move ina first direction; and wherein the second structural feature of theretractable leash assembly is configured to be releasably mated with thesecond structural feature of the receptacle upon application of a forceon the retractable leash assembly causing at least a portion of theretractable leash to move in a second direction.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example system in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, here depicting a perspective viewof an example retractable leash assembly releasably attached to anexample complementary receptacle in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, an example system 100may include retractable leash assembly 200 releasably mated with andheld by receptacle assembly 400 coupled to harness 500. System 100 mayfurther include a leash member 300 coupled to a clasp on one end and acomponent of the retractable leash assembly on another end. Harness 500is configured to be releasably worn upon or otherwise attached to aportion of an animal (e.g., the core of an animal's body). In someembodiments, an upper portion of the harness 500 is configured to sit onthe back of an animal, while a lower portion of the harness 500 isconfigured to hover beneath the core of the animal, often snug against achest region of an animal.

Retractable leash assembly 200 is configured to be releasably coupledwith the harness 500 via receptacle 400. That is, system 100 may includea receptacle 400 coupled with the harness 500 and providing a means forreleasably coupling the retractable leash assembly 200 with the leashwhile the harness is worn on an animal. In some embodiments receptacle400 may be considered a component part of harness 500, or a componentpart of retractable leash assembly 200, or may be considered astandalone component that provides a coupling mechanism therebetween.Only a portion of an example receptacle 400 is visible in FIG. 1A.Receptacle 400 may be configured to hold retractable leash assembly 200in a substantially fixed orientation with respect to harness 500. Forexample, as shown retractable leash assembly 200 is configured with anose portion (e.g., a first structural feature of the retractable leashassembly 200) that may fit within an orifice formed in the portion ofthe example receptacle 400 that is visible (e.g., a first structuralfeature of receptacle 400). This mating element, among others (e.g.,including other examples which allow a different portion of theretractable leash assembly 200 to snap into place after the firststructural feature of the retractable leash assembly 200 in the firststructural feature of the receptacle 400 are mated, described in furtherdetail below) enable one or more features of the presently disclosedtechnology.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example retractable leash assembly 200 detachedfrom and positioned above an example receptacle 400, which is shown hereuncoupled with a harness for explanatory purposes (i.e., in a detachedcondition). The retractable leash assembly 200 and receptacle 400 areshown in a reverse orientation to better illustrate various examplefeatures. As shown, retractable leash assembly 200 may generally bedescribed as including a leash enclosure portion 211 and a handleportion 212. The handle portion 212 is formed to create an aperture 214through which a user may place a portion of their hand, and a gripmember 213 protruding into the aperture 214 and configured to provide auser with added positional control of the retractable leash assembly200, as well as additional comfort and fit with the user's hand.Retractable leash assembly 200 may also include leash enclosure portion211 that is coupled to or formed integrally with a portion of handleportion 212.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure,retractable leash assembly 200 may include a first structural featurethat is configured to be mated with a first structural feature ofreceptacle 400. The first structural feature of the retractable leashassembly may include a first rigid formation protruding from at least aportion of the housing of the retractable leash assembly 200, andextending beyond at least a portion of the leash enclosure portion ofsuch housing in at least one radial direction relative to the spool. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, an example for structuralfeature of the retractable leash assembly 200 may be a rigid formationsuch as nose 216 that protrudes from a portion of a side wall of theleash enclosure portion 211 of retractable leash assembly 200 that issubstantially opposite from the position of the handle portion 212,extending in the forward direction.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure,retractable leash assembly 200 may include further include a secondstructural feature that is configured to be mated with a secondstructural feature of receptacle 400. In accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure, the second structural feature ofthe retractable leash assembly may include a depression within thehousing that may be aligned with a snap-fit feature of the receptacle.For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the second structural feature of theretractable leash assembly 200 may include a depression such as a femalesnap-fit joint 215 formation.

Though the second structural feature of the receptacle leash assembly200 is shown in FIG. 1B as being located on a portion of the housingdefining a part of aperture 214, and in a position substantiallyopposite of grip 213 within such aperture 214, such a second structuralfeature of the receptacle leash assembly 200 may be positioned anywhereon or within the housing such that it is accessible to a complementarysecond structural feature of receptacle 400. The second structuralfeature of the receptacle 400 may include a male snap-fit jointformation, for example, that is complementary to the example femalesnap-fit joint 215 formation shown. The second structural feature of theretractable leash assembly 200 and the structural feature of thereceptacle 400 should be separably complimentary. For example, and amale snap-fit joint formation on receptacle 400 may be separablycomplimentary with a female snap-fit joint formation on retractableleash assembly 200.

As further shown in FIG. 1B, receptacle 400 may include one or morerigid members including or defining structural features configured formating with the first and second structural features of the retractableleash assembly 200. For example rigid formation 402 may extend upwardfrom support plate 404, and be configured to define an aperture 403 thatcomprises a first structural feature of receptacle 400 that isconfigured to mate with the first structural feature (e.g., nose 216)when the two are brought in proximity with one another and appropriateforces are applied. Further as shown, rigid formation 406 may extendupward from attachment plate 404, and be configured to define a malesnap-fit formation 407, such as a bump or nub, that comprises a secondstructural feature of receptacle 400 that is configured to mate with thesecond structural feature of retractable leash assembly 200 when the twoare brought in proximity with one another and appropriate forces areapplied.

As shown, a first structural feature of the receptacle may be defined bya first aperture formed within a first rigid formation protrudingoutward from a support plate of the receptacle. The first aperture ofthe first rigid formation of the receptacle may be fitted to receive andat least partially circumscribe at least a portion of the first rigidformation of the retractable leash assembly. In other embodiments, thefirst structural feature of the retractable leash assembly 200 mayinclude a depression formation (as an alternative or in addition to aprotruding nose 216 formation) on or within at least a portion of theleash enclosure portion of the housing. In some such embodiments, thefirst structural feature of the receptacle may complementarily include afirst protrusion extending from the first rigid formation extendingoutward from a support plate 404 of the receptacle 400. The firstprotrusion of the receptacle, in such an embodiment, may be fitted to bepositioned within and be at least partially circumscribed by at least aportion of the depression formation of the leash enclosure portion 211of the housing of a retractable leash assembly. In other words, insteadof or in addition to the nose protrusion being formed on the housing ofthe retractable leash assembly and configured for mating with adepression, slot, hole, cavity, or other aperture in the receptacle, anose protrusion may be formed on a portion of the receptacle itself andconfigured for mating with a depression, slot, hole, cavity, or otheraperture in the housing of the receptacle leash assembly.

In some embodiments, as noted, the second structural feature of theretractable leash assembly 200 includes a female snap-fit joint 215formation. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the secondstructural feature of the receptacle includes a male snap-fit jointformation separably complementary to the female snap-fit jointformation. In some such embodiments, one or more of the female snap-fitjoint formation and the male snap-fit joint formation comprise acantilever snap-fit joint, a U-shaped snap-fit joint, a torsion snap-fitjoint, a ball snap-fit joint, and an annular snap joint.

In some embodiments, the second structural feature of the receptacle mayinclude a male snap-fit joint formation complementary to the femalesnap-fit joint formation where the male snap-fit joint formation andfemale snap-fit joint formation are separably complimentary. Separablycomplimentary as used herein refers generally to the ability of two ormore matable (sometimes referred to herein as “engageable” or“coupleable”) structures to be repeatedly mated and unmated (or engagedand disengaged, or coupled and uncoupled) upon application of asufficient force bringing the two or more together or drawing two formore apart. For example, as it pertains to the snap-fit joints discussedhere, separably complimentary generally refers to the ability of themale snap-fit joint formation and the female snap-fit formation to bemated and unmated (e.g., coupled and uncoupled) upon application of asufficient force in a first and second direction, respectively, withoutcausing a substantial plastic deformation (e.g., inelastic deformation)in one or more of the structures that define the male snap-fit jointformation and the female snap-fit formation.

In some embodiments, the second structural feature of the retractableleash assembly may include a female snap-fit joint formation. The secondstructural feature of the receptacle may include a male snap-fit jointformation complementary to the female snap-fit joint formation; and themale snap-fit joint formation and female snap-fit joint formations maybe separably complimentary.

In some embodiments, the male snap-fit joint formation includes apartially deflectable cantilever member having a first protrusion, andwherein the female snap-fit joint formation includes a first depressionconfigured to receive at least a portion of the first protrusion of thecantilever member during a joining operation. During an example joiningoperation the cantilever member may be partially deflected as it isforced along a surface proximal to the first depression. In someembodiments, during an example joining operation, such an examplecantilever member at least partially recovers from the deflection whenthe protrusion of the cantilever member is substantially aligned with afirst depression region of an female snap-fit formation.

In some embodiments, the first protrusion of an example cantilevermember of a second structural feature of an example receptacle (or,alternatively or additionally, a first protrusion of an examplecantilever member of a second structural feature of an example housingof a retractable leash assembly) may include one or more of a hookstructure, a stud structure, and a bead structure.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, adepression formation in the leash enclosure portion of the housing of aretractable leash assembly (or, alternatively or additionally, adepression formation in the second structural feature of a receptacleassembly) may include one or more of a hole formation, an undercutformation, and a countersink formation. In some embodiments, the firststructural feature of the retractable leash assembly comprises one ormore of a countersink, hole, and undercut formation located within atleast a portion of the leash enclosure portion of the housing in atleast one radial direction relative to the spool. And in some suchembodiments, the first structural feature of the receptacle comprises afirst protrusion from a rigid formation extending outward from a supportplate of the receptacle, the first protrusion fitted to be positionedwithin and at least partially circumscribed by at least a portion of oneor more of the countersink, hole, and undercut formation.

In some embodiments, the male snap-fit joint formation and the femalesnap-fit joint formation are invertably complementary as well asseparably complimentary. Invertably complimentary, as used in connectionwith two or more matable (sometimes referred to herein as “engageable”or “coupleable”) structures herein, refers generally to the ability ofthe structures be mated and unmated (or engaged and disengaged, orcoupled and uncoupled) in a similar fashion when one such structureapproaches the other such structure in either of at least twoorientations (e.g., right-side up, or upside-down, or otherwise flippedabout given axis) during a joining operation, the one orientationreferred to as being “inverted” relative to the other(s).

In some embodiments, an attached condition may be achieved between anexample retractable leash assembly 200 and an example receptacle 400when both: the first structural feature of the retractable leashassembly is mated with the first structural feature of the receptacle,and the second structural feature of the retractable leash assembly ismated with the second structural feature of the receptacle. Conversely,a detached condition may be achieved between an example retractableleash assembly 200 and an example receptacle 400 when both: a matedcondition between first structural feature of the retractable leashassembly and the first structural feature of the receptacle isdisengaged, and a mated condition between the second structural featureof the retractable leash assembly and the second structural feature ofthe receptacle is disengaged.

In some embodiments, beginning with an example retractable leashassembly 200 in a detached condition with respect to the receptacle 400(as shown in FIG. 1B), application of a force on the retractable leashassembly 200 that may otherwise cause at least a portion of theretractable leash assembly 200 to move in a second direction (e.g.,substantially downward)—and to thereby engage a mated condition betweenthe second structural feature of the retractable leash assembly 200 andthe second structural feature of the receptacle 400—is substantiallyprohibited until the first structural feature of the retractable leashassembly 200 and the first structural feature of the receptacle 400 arein a mated condition pursuant to a movement in a first direction (e.g.,substantially forward).

In accordance with some embodiments, in the attached condition (as shownin FIG. 1A) the retractable leash assembly is held in a substantiallyfixed position relative to the position of the receptacle.

In some embodiments, beginning with an example retractable leashassembly 200 in an attached condition with respect to the receptacle 400(as shown in FIG. 1A), application of a force on the retractable leashassembly may cause at least a portion of the retractable leash assemblyto move in a third direction (e.g., substantially upward) and cause themated state between the second structural feature of the retractableleash assembly and the second structural feature of the receptacle tobecome disengaged. In some examples disclosed herein, such anapplication of a force on the retractable leash assembly is achievedwhen a user grips a handle portion (which may include grip 213) of theretractable leash assembly 200 and lifts upward.

In some embodiments, application of a force on the retractable leashassembly 200 may cause at least a portion of the retractable leashassembly 200 to move in a fourth direction (e.g., substantiallybackward/rearward) and cause the mated state between the firststructural feature of the retractable leash assembly 200 and the firststructural feature of the receptacle 400 to disengage. In some examplesdisclosed herein, such an application of a force causing at least aportion of the retractable leash assembly 200 to move in the fourthdirection is a substantially smaller force than application of forcecausing at least a portion of the retractable leash assembly 200 to movein the third direction. Indeed, in some embodiments, the structuralrelationship between the first structural feature of the retractableleash assembly 200 and the first structural feature of the receptacle400 may allow the retractable leash assembly 200 to pivot (e.g., aboutthe mating region of said first structural features) as the applicationof force causing the retractable leash assembly 200 to move in the thirddirection occurs, the pivot movement itself (alone or together withother movements) generating the application of force sufficient to causeat least a portion of the retractable leash assembly 200 to move in thefourth direction.

Though the application of force to cause the retractable leash assemblyto move in the fourth direction may in some examples be small incomparison to the application of force to cause the retractable leashassembly to move in the third direction (assuming such force is appliedto move the retractable leash assembly in the third direction), itshould be noted that in accordance with some embodiments such movementsin the fourth direction may be prohibited unless and until they move inin the third direction has taken place. That is, beginning with theretractable leash assembly in attached condition with respect to thereceptacle, in accordance with some embodiments an application of aforce on the retractable leash assembly causing at least a portion ofthe retractable leash assembly to move in the fourth direction (e.g.,substantially rearward to disengage nose 216 with the structure formingaperture 403) is substantially prohibited until the second structuralfeature of the retractable leash assembly 200 and the second structuralfeature of the receptacle 400 achieve an unmated condition pursuant to amovement in a third direction (e.g., substantially upward).

In some embodiments, application of a force directly or indirectly onthe second structural feature of the receptacle 400 (e.g., not directlyon the second structural feature of the retractable leash assembly 200)may disengage a mated condition between a second structural feature ofthe receptacle 400 and a second structural feature of the retractableleash assembly 200. For example, in some embodiments a user maydisengage a mated condition between a second structural feature of thereceptacle 400 and a second structural feature of the retractable leashassembly 200 by applying a pushing or pulling force on the secondstructural feature of the receptacle 400 with, for example, theirfinger.

In some embodiments, the first direction and the second directionsdiscussed above are in different directions; in some instances the firstdirection and the second direction are substantially orthogonal relativeto each other in at least one plane; in some instances the angle betweenthe first direction and the second direction is between 10° and 170°degrees in at least one plane. Similarly, in accordance with someembodiments, the third direction and the fourth direction are differentdirections; in some instances, the third direction and the fourthdirection are substantially orthogonal relative to each other in atleast one plane; and in some instances the angle between the thirddirection and the fourth direction is between 10° and 170° degrees in atleast one plane.

Although not shown explicitly in FIG. 1B, retractable leash assembly 200and receptacle 400 may be configured with one or more guiding elementsthat bias their complementary mating features into an aligned or matedposition with respect to one another. For example, guiding magnets maybe disposed on or embedded within a portion of the retractable leashassembly 200 and receptacle 400 in an arrangement that influences theposition of the retractable leash assembly 200 as it is brought inproximity with receptacle 400 attachment (e.g., to achieve a matedcondition). Such guiding magnets may aid a user with an otherwiseunsteady hand as said user attempts to perform a joining operation toattach the retractable leash assembly 200 with a receptacle 400 coupledto a harness. Such guiding elements may, for example, bias a firststructural feature of the retractable leash assembly 200 toward analigned or mated position with respect to the first structural featureof receptacle 400. Concurrently, or thereafter (timing triggered by afirst mating condition being detected, for example), other guidingelements may, for example, bias a second structural feature of theretractable leash assembly 200 toward an aligned or mated position withrespect to the second structural feature of receptacle 400.

Furthermore, although not shown explicitly in FIGS. 1A and 1B, one ormore of retractable leash assembly 200, receptacle 400, and harness 500may be equipped with one or more of a computing module, a power source,sensors, and other electronic devices. Sensors may detect one or moreconditions of the animal, or the environment the animal is within.Various sensors and electronic devices may be used, alone or incombination with a communications interface of the computing components,to enable a human user to obtain, for example, location informationabout the animal to which the harness is attached. For example,retractable leash assembly 200 may be equipped with a computing modulecoupled with one or more of a GPS circuit, a Bluetooth circuit, acellular communications circuit, a speaker, and a light emitting device.The computing module may be configured to obtain GPS locationinformation via the GPS circuit, and transmit a representation of suchdata to a user's computing device (e.g., smartphone). This way, if auser attaches retractable leash assembly 200 to the harness 500 via areceptacle 400 to allow their animal to run free in a park, for example,but then later loses the animal upon the animal escaping from the park,the user may relocate the animal by observing the GPS locationinformation transmitted to his/her smart phone via the computing modulecoupled with the retractable leash assembly 200.

FIGS. 1C-1H depict additional views of the example system shown in FIG.1A, with the retractable leash assembly 200 in an attached conditionwith respect to the receptacle 400 and harness 500. FIGS. 1C, 1D, 1E,1F, 1G, and 1H depicting a top plan view, a bottom plan view, a rearside elevation view, a right side elevation view, a front side elevationview, a left side elevation view, respectively, of an exampleretractable leash assembly releasably attached to an examplecomplementary receptacle in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure. FIGS. 1C through 1H depict various features andelements that may be deployed in one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure from different perspectives. These figures are discussedtogether in connection with the same, with like numerals representinglike elements and features.

As shown, harness 500 may include a back pad 512 and an undercarriagepad 502, where the back pad 512 may be configured to cover at least aportion of the back of an animal when the harness 500 is worn, and theundercarriage pad 502 may be configured to cover at least a portion ofthe chest of an animal when the harness 500 is worn. In someembodiments, at least a portion of the back pad 512 and theundercarriage pad 502 are nonrigid (i.e., at least partially flexible)such that either or both may adapt to the form of the animal's body towhich the harness 500 is to be attached. In some embodiments, theharness is equipped with one or more front straps 504, the one or morefront straps connecting a forward/frontal portion of the back pad 512 toa forward/frontal portion of the undercarriage pad 502. In someembodiments, harness 500 may be equipped with one or more rear straps505, the one or more rear straps 505 connecting a rear portion of theback pad 512 to a rear portion of the undercarriage pad 502.

As the technology of the present disclosure is intended and adaptablefor use with any shape or size of animal, in some embodiments harnessesof the present disclosure may be equipped with adjustable straps. Forexample, one or more of the front straps and rear straps may beadjustable in length. In another example, one or more of the frontstraps and rear straps may be made, in whole or in part of elastomericmaterials to provide additional flexibility as an animal moves about.Additionally or alternatively, and as shown in the figures by way ofexample, in some embodiments one or more of the front straps 504 andrear straps 505 connect to one or more of the front portion and the rearportion of one or more of the back pad 512 and undercarriage pad 512 viaone or more releasable couples, such as slide-release buckle 506.Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the front straps 504 andrear straps 505 may be adjustable via one or more of adjustmentmechanisms such as a slider adjusters 508. Such adjustment mechanismsmay include any type of such mechanism, including one or more of aladder-lock adjuster, a hook and loop fastener, and an adjustable bucklefastener.

As shown, in some embodiments receptacle 400 it is attached to orotherwise coupled with harness 500 via a support plate such as supportplate 404 (shown in FIG. 1B). In some embodiments, such as support plateof the receptacle 400 is attached to or otherwise coupled with the backpad 512 of the harness 500. For example, back pad 512 may be comprisedof several layers of material and, during a manufacturing procedure, forexample, such layers of material may be sewn together with at least aportion of support plate 404 situated between two or more such layers ofmaterial. In this way, support plate 404 may be embedded within back pad515 of harness 500 in a substantially permanent fashion. In someembodiments support plate 404 of receptacle 400 may be attached to orotherwise coupled with harness 500 using releasable or nonreleasablefasteners. In some embodiments support plate 404 of receptacle 400 maybe attached to or otherwise coupled with harness 500 using releasable ornonreleasable adhesives. In some embodiments the attachment or couple ispermanent, while in other embodiments the attachment or couple isreleasable to enable detachment under certain conditions (e.g.,application of a sufficient release force). In some embodiments, thesupport plate of the receptacle is attached to the non-rigid back pad,and at least a portion of one or more of the first structural feature ofthe receptacle and the second structural feature of the receptacleprotrude from the support plate in a substantially perpendicularlydirection in at least one plane, including a plane tangent to at least aportion of the support plate), or in substantially perpendiculardirection is substantially vertical relative to the earth's surface whenthe harness is attached to a four-legged standing animal.

FIGS. 1C-1H also include various perspective views where one or moreexample features discussed with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2C mayalso be seen—with like numerals corresponding to like features—inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Forexample at least a portion of first rigid formation 402 and second rigidformation 406 of receptacle 400 (which define and in some instances maybe said to comprise a first structural feature (e.g., aperture 403) andsecond structural feature/s (cantilever 407, male snap-fit formation408) of receptacle 400); and at least a portion of an example firststructural feature (e.g., nose 216) and second structural feature (e.g.,female snap-fit formation 215) may be seen in one or more of FIGS. 1A-1Band 2A-2C, with like numerals corresponding to like features forconvenience and clarity.

Turning now to a discussion referring more particularly to exampleretractable leash assembly features in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, FIGS. 2A-2C are provided toillustrate external views of example retractable leash assemblies thatdepict some examples of such one or more such features. In particular,FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate a perspective view, a top plan view, anda right side elevation view, respectively, of example retractable leashassemblies 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 2A and 2B are shown without a connected so as toreveal certain features without obstruction, while FIG. 2C is shown witha connected leash in an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C retractable leash assembly 200 may generally bedescribed as having a housing that includes a leash enclosure portion211 and a handle portion 212. The handle portion 212 is formed to createan aperture 214 through which a user may place a portion of their hand,and a grip member 213 protruding into the aperture 214 and configured toprovide a user with added positional control of the retractable leashassembly 200, as well as additional comfort and fit with the user'shand. Retractable leash assembly 200 may also include leash enclosureportion 211 that is coupled to or formed integrally with a portion ofhandle portion 212. Retractable leash assembly 200 may also include afirst and second structural feature configured to mate with a first andsecond structural feature of a receptacle attached to a harness, asdiscussed elsewhere herein.

Leash enclosure portion 211 of retractable leash assembly 200 mayinclude one or more of a top cover 206 or a bottom cover 206 that may bereleasably coupled with the remainder of the housing of the retractableleash assembly 200. Top cover 206 or bottom cover 206 may be removable(e.g., threaded release, snap-fit release, etc.) to reveal one or moreof the internal components of retractable leash assembly 200. Suchreleasably coupled top and bottom covers of retractable leash assembly200 permit easy replacement or repair of internal devices, including anyelectronic devices that may be closed within such a housing, asdiscussed herein.

As shown, retractable leash assembly 200 may include an actuationassembly configured to enable a user to actuate one or more functionalfeatures of retractable leash assembly 200 (for example, the novellocking assembly disclosed herein) by moving one or more components orelements of the actuation assembly from a point external to the housing.The actuation assembly may comprise a slider 287 (or other actuatableelement such as a button, a trigger, or the like) movably mounted toremaining elements of retractable leash assembly 200 the mouth bridge286. Mouth bridge 286 may include embedded tracks or bearing mechanismsenabling slider 287 to move forward and backward upon application of amoving force in such directions. Mouth bridge 286 may be coupled to orintegrally formed with the remaining portions of the housing of theretractable leash assembly 200. Mouth bridge 286 is configured to allowmovements of slider 287 into one or more positions that cause a lockingassembly held within the housing of the retractable leash assembly 200to engage or disengage.

Retractable leash assembly 200 may also include an orifice (e.g.,leash-hole 202) allowing passage of a leash 300 (or other cord or strap,as desired) therethrough in connection with the leash being drawn out ofthe retractable leash assembly 200 during use, for being retracted backinto the retractable leash assembly 200 upon user disengagement of thelocking assembly via movement of slider 287 from a first position into asecond position, or vice versa. For example, slider 286 may be movablefrom a first slider position into a second slider position, and withsuch movement cause an internal actuator tang coupled to a portion of aninternal locking assembly (e.g., a release ring, introduced in FIG. 3A)to move in a manner that disengages the internal locking assembly. Upondisengagement of such an internal locking assembly, week 300 may becaused to retracted back into the enclosure created by the housing ofretractable leash assembly 200.

FIG. 2C illustrates such a leash 300, depicting a portion of the leash300 disposed outside the housing of the retractable leash assembly 200and leading inside the housing of the retractable leash assembly 200through leash-hole 202. Leash 300 may include or be otherwise coupledwith a clasp 302. Clasp 302 may be configured to attach onto an elementof harness 500, such as through a loop or ring affixed to harness 500.In some embodiments, a second end of the leash is coupled to a claspoutside the housing, and the clasp has at least one dimension that islarger than at least one dimension of the orifice through the housing toprohibit the clasp from passing through such orifice. In someembodiments, a second end of the leash is coupled to a stopper 304outside the housing, and the stopper 304 has at least one dimension thatis larger than at least one dimension of the orifice through the housingto prohibit the clasp and/or the stopper 304 from passing through theorifice. In some embodiments, the clasp is configured specifically forattachment to a portion of one or more embodiments of the harnesses orleash receptacles of the present disclosure (e.g., via a keyedattachment mechanism, a magnetic key). In some embodiments, the clasp isconfigured to prevent or otherwise discourage attachment to atraditional neck collar of an animal (e.g., via a keyed attachmentmechanism, a magnetic key ill-suited for attachment to a traditionalcollar).

In some embodiments, as shown, the outer surface of the housing of theretractable leash assembly is substantially symmetrical about at leastone plane. In still further embodiments, the outer surface of thehousing of the retractable leash assembly is substantially symmetricalabout at least two orthogonal planes. In some embodiments, the outersurface of the housing of the retractable leash assembly issubstantially symmetrical about at least one plane, and the at least oneplane is substantially parallel with the plane of rotation of the spool.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, theretractable leash assembly 200 may enclose various components orelements, discussed in further detail herein with respect to FIGS.3A-3E.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded view of an example retractable leashassembly 200, disclosing various features of an internal lockingmechanism that may be employed in accordance with one or moreembodiments present disclosure. As shown, the retractable leash assembly200 is equipped with an internal subsystem (which may also referred toherein as a “system”), comprising a lock assembly. The locking assemblysystems and subsystems of the present disclosure configured to enablecontrolled release and retraction of a leash responsive to variousmovements of an actuator. As will be appreciated upon reviewing thedisclosure of such locking assembly subsystems herein, the uniquearrangements of elements that may be deployed consistent with one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure enable a much more compact,efficient, controllable, retainable, consolidated, and functionallysuperior retractable leash assemblies as compared to conventionalproducts.

As may be observed from FIG. 3A, retractable leash assembly 200 mayinclude a locking assembly situated between a first housing member 210and a second housing member 260. In some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the lock assembly subsystem may include one or more of: afirst support 210 (e.g., a top half of an example retractable leashassembly 200 housing, in this example); a second support 260 (e.g., abottom half of an example retractable leash assembly 200 housing, inthis example); a clutch spring 219; and engagement plate 220; a clockspring 230; a clock spring retainer 240; a leash spool 245; a releasering 255; an actuation assembly 285; and various pins and fasteners.Actuation assembly 285 may include one or more of a slider 287 (or othertype of actuation mechanism such as a button or trigger), a mouth bulge286 (which in some instances may also be considered part of the housingof the retractable leash assembly 200), a slider linkage member 290, andactuator tang 295, and an actuator wireform 299 configured forattachment to release ring 255.

As shown, an axle structure 201 may be provided which, when theretractable leash assembly is assembled, may extend at least partiallybetween a portion of a first support 210 and a portion of a secondsupport. The axle structure 201 may provide or otherwise define an axisof rotation. In some embodiments such an axle structure 201 may be adistinct component coupled with one or more features of the secondsupport 260 (or first support 210, depending on the configuration). Inother embodiments, such an axle structure 201 may be an integralformation within the structure of the second support 260 (or firstsupport 210, depending on the configuration). For ease of description,in the present example the first support 210 is provided by a topportion of the housing of an example retractable leash assembly 200, andthe second support 260 is provided by a bottom portion of the housing ofan example retractable leash assembly 200. While this is not necessary,it provides a convenient embodiment of the present disclosure. Manyfeatures of such an example housing have already been introduced hereinwith reference to FIGS. 1A through 2C, and for brevity will not berepeated here.

FIG. 3B illustrates an exploded view of an example first support 210,the clutch spring 219, and engagement plate 220 introduced in FIG. 3A,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Engagement plate 220 is configured to be rotatably fixed relative to thefirst support 210 in the assembled condition, yet be laterallytranslatable between a first engagement position and a second engagementposition in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. To enable therotatably fixed and laterally translatable ability, engagement plate 220may be configured with two or more through-holes 223 that fit around twoor more pins 222 that are fixed to the first support 210. Thethrough-holes 223 of engagement plate 220 may be configured to allow theengagement plate 220 to slide up and down the pins 222 responsive toforces applied on the engagement plate 220. Engagement plate 220 may beformed with a clutch spring seat configured to hold or otherwiserestrain an end of a clutch spring 219. In an assembled condition,clutch spring 219 is sandwiched between engagement plate 220 and firstsupport 210 such that the clutch spring 219 applies a substantiallyconstant force on the engagement plate 220, biasing the engagement plate224 translation along pins 222 in a direction away from the firstsupport 210. Although not shown explicitly in FIG. 3B, the engagementplate 220 comprises one or more tooth protrusions 221 on a side oppositethe first support 210, and may also include one or more ramp recesses227 on a side opposite the first support 210. In some embodiments, theramp recesses are positioned further from the center of the engagementplate (the center being substantially aligned with the axle structure'saxis of rotation, as shown) than the tooth protrusions.

FIG. 3C illustrates an exploded view of an example engagement plate 220,an example clock spring 230, an example clock spring retainer 240, andan example leash spool 245. Clock spring 230 may include a spring ribbonwound around and arbor 232 to create a bundle of coils 231 situatedwithin a going barrel 233. Clock spring 230 may further include, at oneend of the spring ribbon, a hook 234 or other joint feature. A clockspring retainer 240 may be configured such that the clock spring 230 maybe at least partially held within a cavity of the clock spring retainer240. Clock spring retainer 240 may include a formation 242 configured toengage with the hook 234 (or other joint feature) of clock spring 230 inthe assembled condition. Clock spring retainer 240 may restrict one ormore movements of clock spring 230 in the assembled condition. Clockspring retainer 240 may further be configured with one or more snap-fitjoint features configured to engage with complementary snap-fit jointfeatures within barrel aperture 251 of leash spool 245. For example, asshown, clock spring retainer 240 may include two cantilever snap-fitjoints 241 configured to engage with complementary snap-fit jointrecesses 246 coupled with or otherwise formed within barrel aperture 251of leash spool 245.

Leash spool 245 may comprise a drum 248, each end of the drum configuredwith a flange extending radially outward along the circumference of thedrum 248. Leash spool 245 may be configured to circumscribe at least aportion of the axle structure 201 (introduced in FIG. 3D), and berotatably movable about the axle structure 201. As shown, an upperflange (also referred to herein as a first flange) of leash spool 245may be configured with one or more tooth recesses 247 configured to matewith the one or more tooth protrusions 221 (introduced in FIG. 3A) ofthe engagement plate 220 when the engagement plate is in a secondengagement position. In some embodiments, if engagement plate 220 istranslated along pins 222 into a position that is close enough to theleash spool 245 that the tooth protrusions 221 of the engagement plate220 project into the tooth recesses 247 of the leash spool 245, thetooth recesses 247 and the tooth protrusions 221 may be said to be in amated state or condition, or in an engaged state or condition.Similarly, in such a condition the engagement plate 220 and leash spool245 may likewise be said to be in a mated state or condition, or in anengaged state or condition.

Conversely, if engagement plate 220 is translated along pins 222 into aposition that is not close enough to the leash spool 245 that the toothprotrusions 221 of the engagement plate 220 project into the toothrecesses 247 of the leash spool 245 (i.e., the engagement plate 220 istoo far away from the leash spool along the central axis), the toothrecesses 247 and the tooth protrusions 221 may be said to be in aunmated state or condition, or a disengaged state or condition.Similarly, in such a condition the engagement plate 220 and leash spool245 may likewise be said to be in an unmated state or condition, or in adisengaged state or condition.

FIG. 3D illustrates an exploded view of an example leash spool 245, andexample release ring 250 and a second support 260 (including an exampleaxle structure 201). As shown, release ring 250 may be described ashaving a substantially cylindrical or barrel shaped, configured with asubstantially flat bottom rim and a staged upper rim (also referred toherein as a stepped upper rim). The upper rim of release ring 250 may besaid to be staged because, in some embodiments, it displays a lowerelevation 251 (also referred to herein as a first elevation) along aportion of its perimeter, and an upper elevation 252 (also referred toherein as a second elevation) along another portion of its perimeter.

As further shown, the upper elevation 252 of release ring 250 is furtherconfigured with one or more ramp features 254. The ramp features 254 areconfigured to mate with, or otherwise align with, one or more recesses227 of engagement plate 220 (introduced in FIG. 3A) when the releasering 250 is in a first release ring position. When the release ring 250is moved into a second release ring position, however the ramp features254 become completely or partially misaligned with the one or morerecesses 227 of engagement plate 220, pushing engagement plate 220 awayand toward first support 210 (and against the bias of clutch spring220). In some embodiments, a height dimension of one or more of the rimfeatures 254 is greater than a height dimension of one or more of theteeth protrusions 221 of engagement plate 220.

Alignment and misalignment of the ramp features 254 of the release ring250 with the ramp recesses of engagement plate 220 may be controlled byan actuation assembly 285 (shown in FIG. 3E) coupled to the release ring250, for example, via a wireform receptacle 253. Before discussing anexample actuation assembly 285 in further detail, it should be notedthat the dimensions of leash spool 245 and release ring 250 may beconfigured such that a flange of the leash spool 245 may sit atop ashelf 256 structure nested within the release ring 250. Spool 245 mayrotate while it sits atop shelf 256, and is positioned within at least aportion of the release ring 250. As the leash spool 245 rotates duringoperation of the retractable leash assembly 200, a connected leash 300may pass through the cutout region 257 defined by the staged upper rimof the release ring.

FIG. 3E illustrates an exploded view of an example actuation assembly inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.Actuation assembly 285 may include one or more of a slider 287 (or othertype of actuation mechanism such as a button or trigger), a mouth bulge286 (which in some instances may also be considered part of the housingof the retractable leash assembly 200), a slider linkage member 290, andactuator tang 295, and an actuator wireform 299 configured forattachment to release ring 255.

Mouth bulge 286 may be configured along its perimeter with a pluralityof nubs 288 that mate with complementary depressions within theremainder of the housing of an example retractable leash assembly 200.Mouth bulge 286 may further be configured with an aperture 289 throughwhich a portion of slider 287 may pass to engage or otherwise be coupledwith button linkage member 290. For example, in some embodiments, sliderlinkage member 290 and slider 287 may be coupled together, through themouth bulge aperture 289, via thread forming screw 294. Slider linkagemember 290 may be configured with a through hole 291 to enable suchcoupling. Slider linkage member 290 may further be configured with oneor more pivot joints 292, 293 configured to engage with complementaryfeatures of actuator tang 295.

Actuator tang 295 is configured with two or more riders 296 (alsoreferred to in some instances herein as pins) that may be positionedwithin a track formation within one or more of a first support and asecond support (in the foregoing examples, the track formation would beformed within the interior of the housing portions of retractable leashassembly 200). In some embodiments, the track formation confines theriders 296 to a path of travel that is substantially in the shape of anarc. As shown, actuator tang 295 is configured with pivot jointreceptacle apertures 297, 298 within which pivot joints 292, 293 may bedisposed. Actuator tang 295 is further configured to be coupled withactuator wireform 299. As noted earlier, actuator wireform 299 may becoupled with release ring 250. In some particular embodiments, thedistal end of the actuator wireform 299 shown in FIG. 3E may be heldwithin wireform receptacle 253 shown in FIG. 3D. In this examplestructural relationship, movements of the actuator assembly 285 maytranslate into rotational movements of release ring 250. In someembodiments, for example, movements of slider 287 may cause release ring250 to rotate between 1° and 20° about the center axis (defined by axlestructure 201). In some embodiments, movements of slider 287 may causerelease ring 252 rotate more than 20° about the center axis. It shouldbe appreciated however, that in some embodiments it will be desirablethat the cut out 257 (created by the staged elevation of the upper rimof release ring 250) of release ring 250 be great enough that, evenunder the greatest degree of rotation that can be caused by the actuatorassembly 285, the release ring 250 will not obstruct the ability of aleash to be wound around leash spool 245.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1A-3E, it is provided herein that anexample actuation assembly of the present disclosure may includecomprising an actuator (e.g., a slider, trigger, button, etc.) coupledwith an actuator tang, with the slider movable between a first sliderposition and a second slider position, and with the actuator tangcoupled to a release ring such that the actuator tang may cause therelease ring to rotate in a first direction responsive to the sliderbeing moved from the first slider position into the second sliderposition. In some such embodiments, rotation of the release ring in thefirst direction responsive to the slider being moved from the firstslider position into the second slider position causes ramps or otherfeatures of the release ring to push the engagement plate upward towardthe first support (e.g., a top side of the housing) such that the toothprotrusions of the engagement plate disengage with the tooth recesses ofthe spool and enable the spool to rotate about an axle structureunobstructed by the engagement plate.

In some embodiments, an actuation assembly of the present disclosure mayinclude a button or slider further coupled with an actuator tang, theactuator tang further coupled with a wireform, and the wireform furthercoupled to the release ring. A mouth bulge member many be disposedbetween the button and the button linkage member, the mouth bulge memberhaving an aperture through which the button may be coupled with thebutton linkage member. The aperture within the mouth bulge member mayfurther provide a track creating a path along which the button may bemoved, movement upon which may further cause button linkage member tomove, in turn causing the actuator tang to move along a path. Theactuator tang's movement along such path may cause the wireform to pushor pull on a portion of the release ring and cause the release ring torotate in a first direction or a second direction.

In some embodiments, the actuator tang includes a plurality of pins, theplurality of pins being configured to be held within a track formed inat least a portion of the first support and the second support. Inembodiments where a first housing member provides the first support, anda second housing member provides the second support, the track withinwhich the actuator tang's plurality of pins may be held comprises acutout within the structure of the first housing member and asubstantially matching/mirroring cutout within the structure of thesecond housing member. In some embodiments the cutout within thestructure of the first housing member and cutout within the structure ofthe second housing member define a movement path for the actuator tangin response to movement of the button. In some embodiments, the movementpath is in the shape of an arc that substantially matches the radialprofile of the release ring.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a release ring at leastpartially rotatable between a first release ring position and a secondrelease ring position about an axis of rotation, the release ringcomprising one or more ramps. In some embodiments, responsive to apredetermined movement of an actuator, the release ring is rotated fromthe first release ring position into the second release ring position,causing the one or more ramps to become misaligned with one or more ofthe ramp recesses and to push the engagement plate toward the firstsupport and into the first engagement position such that the toothprotrusions of the engagement plate disengage with the tooth recesses ofthe spool.

In some embodiments, the predetermined movement involves the sliderbeing moved from a first slider position into a second slider position.When such a predetermined movement occurs, the release ring may becaused to rotate from a second release ring position into a firstrelease ring position causing one or more ramps of the release ring toalign with the one or more ramp recesses of the engagement plate.Alignment of the one or more ramps with the one or more ramp recessesmay permit the engagement plate to be forced into the second engagementposition by a force applied from a clutch spring such that toothprotrusions of the engagement plate engage with tooth recesses of thespool. In some embodiments, movement of a slider from a second sliderposition into a first slider position causes the release ring to rotatefrom the second release ring position into the first release ringposition causing one or more ramps of the release ring to align with andmove at least partially into the one or more ramp recesses of theengagement plate.

In some embodiments, rotation of the release ring from the secondrelease ring position into the first release ring position allows aclutch spring to push the engagement plate into the first engagementposition such that the tooth protrusions of the engagement plate engagewith the tooth recesses of the spool and obstruct the spool fromrotation in at least one direction. In some embodiments, a portion ofthe first side support and a portion of the second side support areconfigured to be coupled in a fixed spatial relationship relative toeach other.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, when theactuatable component is caused to move into the second position, a clockspring within the housing and coupled with the spool is caused to becomeunrestricted by the lock mechanism. In some embodiments, when the clockspring is unrestricted by the lock mechanism (and the leash wound aroundthe spool has been at least partially drawn out), the clock springcauses the spool to spin in a direction that causes a portion of theleash drawn out of the housing to become really wound about the spool,thus retracting back into the housing. In some embodiments, andunrestricted clock spring within the housing is configured to rewind theleash around his spool until one or more of a first condition, a secondcondition, and a third condition occurs. In some embodiments, the firstcondition occurs when the length of the leash is wound to the point thatthe clasp on the second end of the leash reaches the orifice of thehousing. In some embodiments, the second condition occurs whenresistance caused from a pulling force on the leash overcomes the forcebeing applied to the spool by the clock spring. In some embodiments, thethird condition occurs when the clock spring unwinds to a point that itcannot fit any more of the leash material around the barrel of the spoolwithout further restraining the rotatable movement of the spool onaccount of friction of the leash with another structure within thehousing.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a second end of a leashis coupled with the spool, and a first end of the leash may be attachedto a harness on an animal. In some embodiments, and animal's pullingforce on a first end of the leash may cause the spool to rotate in thefirst direction.

The present disclosure also extends to all methods for performingoperations, manufacturing elements consistent with, and methods ofproviding such elements to operate in concert with one another ascontemplated herein. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates an example method600 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

At operation 602, method 600 involves providing an axle structureextending at least partially between a portion of a first support and aportion of a second support, the axle structure defining an axis ofrotation. At operation 604, method 600 involves providing an engagementplate circumscribing a portion of the axle structure and rotatably fixedrelative to the first support, the engagement plate translatable betweena first engagement position and a second engagement position in adirection parallel to the axis of rotation, the engagement platecomprising one or more tooth protrusions and one or more ramp recesses.At operation 606, method 600 involves providing a spool circumscribing aportion of the axle structure, the spool rotatably movable about theaxle structure, the spool comprising one or more tooth recessesconfigured to mate with the one or more tooth protrusions of theengagement plate responsive to a movement of the engagement plate intothe second position. At operation 608, method 600 involves providing arelease ring at least partially rotatable between a first release ringposition and a second release ring position about the axis of rotation,the release ring comprising one or more ramps. At operation 610, method600 involves rotating, responsive to a predetermined movement of anactuator, the release ring from the first release ring position into thesecond release ring position, causing the one or more ramps to becomemisaligned with one or more of the ramp recesses and to push theengagement plate toward the first support and into the first engagementposition such that the tooth protrusions of the engagement platedisengage with the tooth recesses of the spool.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example system consistent with the systemintroduced in FIGS. 1A-1H, here depicted as being equipped with one ormore of a computing module 700, a power source 800, sensors 810, andother electronic devices 820, each of which may be in communication withone or more of the others. Computer module 700 may be configured with acomputer program medium and a computer usable medium configured withmachine readable instructions to execute one or more of the functionsdisclosed herein. Sensors 810 may deployed with system 100 to detect oneor more conditions of the animal, or the environment the animal iswithin. Various sensors 810 and electronic devices 820 may be used,alone or in combination with a communications interface of the computingcomponents, to enable a human user to obtain, for example, locationinformation about the animal to which the harness is attached. Forexample, retractable leash assembly 200 may be equipped with a computingmodule 700 coupled with one or more of a GPS circuit, a Bluetoothcircuit, a cellular communications circuit, a speaker, and a lightemitting device. The computing module 700 may be configured to obtainGPS location information via the GPS circuit, and transmit arepresentation of such data to a user's computing device (e.g.,smartphone). This way, if a user attaches retractable leash assembly 200to the harness 500 via a receptacle 400 to allow their animal to runfree in a park, for example, but then later loses the animal upon theanimal escaping from the park, the user may relocate the animal byobserving the GPS location information transmitted to his/her smartphonevia the computing module coupled with the retractable leash assembly200.

As used herein, the term module might describe a given unit offunctionality that can be performed in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the technology disclosed herein. As used herein, a modulemight be implemented utilizing any form of hardware, software, or acombination thereof. For example, one or more processors, controllers,ASICs, PLAs, PALs, CPLDs, FPGAs, logical components, software routinesor other mechanisms might be implemented to make up a module. Inimplementation, the various modules described herein might beimplemented as discrete modules or the functions and features describedcan be shared in part or in total among one or more modules. In otherwords, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this description, the various features and functionalitydescribed herein may be implemented in any given application and can beimplemented in one or more separate or shared modules in variouscombinations and permutations. Even though various features or elementsof functionality may be individually described or claimed as separatemodules, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thesefeatures and functionality can be shared among one or more commonsoftware and hardware elements, and such description shall not requireor imply that separate hardware or software components are used toimplement such features or functionality.

Where components or modules of the technology are implemented in wholeor in part using software, in one embodiment, these software elementscan be implemented to operate with a computing or processing modulecapable of carrying out the functionality described with respectthereto. One such example computing module is shown in FIG. 6. Variousembodiments are described in terms of this example-computing module 700.After reading this description, it will become apparent to a personskilled in the relevant art how to implement the technology using othercomputing modules or architectures.

Referring now to FIG. 6, computing module 700 may represent, forexample, computing or processing capabilities found within desktop,laptop and notebook computers; hand-held computing devices (PDA's, smartphones, cell phones, palmtops, etc.); mainframes, supercomputers,workstations or servers; or any other type of special-purpose orgeneral-purpose computing devices as may be desirable or appropriate fora given application or environment. Computing module 700 might alsorepresent computing capabilities embedded within or otherwise availableto a given device. For example, a computing module might be found inother electronic devices such as, for example, digital cameras,navigation systems, cellular telephones, portable computing devices,modems, routers, WAPs, terminals and other electronic devices that mightinclude some form of processing capability.

Computing module 700 might include, for example, one or more processors,controllers, control modules, or other processing devices, such as aprocessor 704. Processor 704 might be implemented using ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processing engine such as, forexample, a microprocessor, controller, or other control logic. In theillustrated example, processor 704 is connected to a bus 702, althoughany communication medium can be used to facilitate interaction withother components of computing module 700 or to communicate externally.

Computing module 700 might also include one or more memory modules,simply referred to herein as main memory 708. For example, preferablyrandom access memory (RAM) or other dynamic memory, might be used forstoring information and instructions to be executed by processor 704.Main memory 708 might also be used for storing temporary variables orother intermediate information during execution of instructions to beexecuted by processor 704. Computing module 700 might likewise include aread only memory (“ROM”) or other static storage device coupled to bus702 for storing static information and instructions for processor 704.

The computing module 700 might also include one or more various forms ofinformation storage mechanism 710, which might include, for example, amedia drive 712 and a storage unit interface 720. The media drive 712might include a drive or other mechanism to support fixed or removablestorage media 714. For example, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive,a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a CD or DVD drive (R orRW), or other removable or fixed media drive might be provided.Accordingly, storage media 714 might include, for example, a hard disk,a floppy disk, magnetic tape, cartridge, optical disk, a CD or DVD, orother fixed or removable medium that is read by, written to or accessedby media drive 712. As these examples illustrate, the storage media 714can include a computer usable storage medium having stored thereincomputer software or data.

In alternative embodiments, information storage mechanism 710 mightinclude other similar instrumentalities for allowing computer programsor other instructions or data to be loaded into computing module 700.Such instrumentalities might include, for example, a fixed or removablestorage unit 722 and an interface 720. Examples of such storage units722 and interfaces 720 can include a program cartridge and cartridgeinterface, a removable memory (for example, a flash memory or otherremovable memory module) and memory slot, a PCMCIA slot and card, andother fixed or removable storage units 722 and interfaces 720 that allowsoftware and data to be transferred from the storage unit 722 tocomputing module 700.

Computing module 700 might also include a communications interface 724.Communications interface 724 might be used to allow software and data tobe transferred between computing module 700 and external devices.Examples of communications interface 724 might include a modem orsoftmodem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet, network interfacecard, WiMedia, IEEE 802.XX or other interface), a communications port(such as for example, a USB port, IR port, RS232 port Bluetooth®interface, or other port), or other communications interface. Softwareand data transferred via communications interface 724 might typically becarried on signals, which can be electronic, electromagnetic (whichincludes optical) or other signals capable of being exchanged by a givencommunications interface 724. These signals might be provided tocommunications interface 724 via a channel 728. This channel 728 mightcarry signals and might be implemented using a wired or wirelesscommunication medium. Some examples of a channel might include a phoneline, a cellular link, an RF link, an optical link, a network interface,a local or wide area network, and other wired or wireless communicationschannels.

In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computerusable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as, forexample, memory 708, storage unit 720, media 714, and channel 728. Theseand other various forms of computer program media or computer usablemedia may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or moreinstructions to a processing device for execution. Such instructionsembodied on the medium, are generally referred to as “computer programcode” or a “computer program product” (which may be grouped in the formof computer programs or other groupings). When executed, suchinstructions might enable the computing module 700 to perform featuresor functions of the disclosed technology as discussed herein.

While various embodiments of the disclosed technology have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the variousdiagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration forthe disclosed technology, which is done to aid in understanding thefeatures and functionality that can be included in the disclosedtechnology. The disclosed technology is not restricted to theillustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desiredfeatures can be implemented using a variety of alternative architecturesand configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in theart how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning andconfigurations can be implemented to implement the desired features ofthe technology disclosed herein. Also, a multitude of differentconstituent module names other than those depicted herein can be appliedto the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams,operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the stepsare presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments beimplemented to perform the recited functionality in the same orderunless the context dictates otherwise.

Although the disclosed technology is described above in terms of variousexemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood thatthe various features, aspects and functionality described in one or moreof the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability tothe particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead canbe applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of theother embodiments of the disclosed technology, whether or not suchembodiments are described and whether or not such features are presentedas being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scopeof the technology disclosed herein should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or thelike; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may beavailable or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of theterm “module” does not imply that the components or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the module are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of amodule, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in asingle package or separately maintained and can further be distributedin multiple groupings or packages or across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: an axle structure extendingat least partially between a portion of a first support and a portion ofa second support, the axle structure defining an axis of rotation; anengagement plate rotatably fixed relative to the first support, theengagement plate translatable between a first engagement position and asecond engagement position in a direction parallel to the axis ofrotation, the engagement plate comprising one or more tooth protrusionsand one or more ramp recesses; a spool circumscribing a portion of theaxle structure, the spool rotatably movable about the axle structure,the spool comprising one or more tooth recesses configured to mate withthe one or more tooth protrusions of the engagement plate responsive toa movement of the engagement plate into the second engagement position;and a release ring at least partially rotatable between a first releasering position and a second release ring position about the axis ofrotation, the release ring comprising one or more ramps; wherein,responsive to a predetermined movement of an actuator, the release ringis caused to rotate from the first release ring position into the secondrelease ring position, the rotation causing the one or more ramps tobecome misaligned with one or more of the ramp recesses and to push theengagement plate into the first engagement position such that the toothprotrusions of the engagement plate disengage with the tooth recesses ofthe spool.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a clutch springcompressed between a portion of the first support and a portion of theengagement plate, the clutch spring biasing translation of theengagement plate toward the second engagement position.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a clock spring coupled to the spool;wherein rotation of the spool in a first direction causes rotation of agoing barrel of the clock spring in a first direction, the rotation ofthe going barrel in the first direction causing a coil of the clockspring to tighten.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein when the toothprotrusions of the engagement plate are caused to disengage with thetooth recesses of the spool, the clock spring causes the spool to rotatein a second direction.
 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising: aleash coupled with the spool, wherein a pulling force on a first end ofthe leash causes the spool to rotate in the first direction.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a slider; and whereinthe predetermined movement comprises the slider being moved from a firstslider position into a second slider position.
 7. The system of claim 2,wherein a second predetermined movement causes the release ring torotate from the second release ring position into the first release ringposition such that the one or more ramps are caused to align with theone or more ramp recesses of the engagement plate.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein alignment of the one or more ramps with the one or moreramp recesses permits the engagement plate to be pushed into the secondengagement position by the clutch spring such that the tooth protrusionsof the engagement plate engage with the tooth recesses of the spool. 9.The system of claim 6, wherein movement of the slider from a secondslider position into a first slider position causes the release ring torotate from the second release ring position into the first release ringposition such that the one or more ramps move at least partially intothe one or more ramp recesses of the engagement plate.
 10. The system ofclaim 2, wherein rotation of the release ring from the second releasering position into the first release ring position allows the clutchspring to push the engagement plate into the first engagement positionsuch that the tooth protrusions of the engagement plate engage with thetooth recesses of the spool and obstruct the spool from rotation in atleast one direction.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of thefirst side support and a portion of the second side support areconfigured to be coupled in a fixed spatial relationship relative toeach other.
 12. A system, comprising: an axle structure extending atleast partially between a portion of a first support and a portion of asecond support, the axle structure defining an axis of rotation; anengagement plate circumscribing a portion of the axle structure androtatably fixed relative to the first support, the engagement platetranslatable between a first engagement position and a second engagementposition in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, the engagementplate comprising one or more tooth protrusions and one or more ramprecesses; a spool circumscribing a portion of the axle structure, thespool rotatably movable about the axle structure, the spool comprisingone or more tooth recesses configured to mate with the one or more toothprotrusions of the engagement plate responsive to a movement of theengagement plate into the second position; and a release ring at leastpartially rotatable between a first release ring position and a secondrelease ring position about the axis of rotation, the release ringcomprising one or more ramps; an actuation assembly comprising a sliderand an actuator tang, the slider movable between a first slider positionand a second slider position, the actuator tang coupled to the releasering such that the actuator tang causes the release ring to rotate in afirst direction responsive to the slider being moved from the firstslider position into the second slider position, and causes the releasering to rotate in a second direction responsive to the slider beingmoved from the second slider position into the first slider position;wherein rotation of the release ring in the first direction responsiveto the slider being moved from the first slider position into the secondslider position causes the ramps of the release ring to push theengagement plate upward toward the first support such that the toothprotrusions of the engagement plate disengage with the tooth recesses ofthe spool and enable the spool to rotate about the axle structureunobstructed by the engagement plate.
 13. The system of claim 12,further comprising: a clutch spring compressed between a portion of thefirst support and the engagement plate, the clutch spring biasingtranslation of the engagement plate toward the second position.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein rotation of the release ring in the seconddirection responsive to the slider being moved from the second sliderposition into the first slider position causes the ramps of the releasering to move at least partially into alignment with the ramp recesses ofthe engagement plate, allowing the clutch spring to push the engagementplate toward the second support such that the tooth protrusions of theengagement plate engage with the tooth recesses of the spool andobstruct the spool from freely rotating about the axle structure. 15.The system of claim 12, further comprising: a clock spring coupled tothe spool; wherein rotation of the spool in a first direction causesrotation of a going barrel of the clock spring in the first direction,the rotation of the going barrel in the first direction causing a coilof the clock spring to tighten.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein whenthe tooth protrusions of the engagement plate are caused to disengagewith the tooth recesses of the spool, the clock spring causes the spoolto rotate in a second direction.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein thefirst direction of spool rotation is clockwise and the second directionof spool rotation is counterclockwise.
 18. The system of claim 16,wherein the first direction of spool rotation is counterclockwise andthe second direction of spool rotation is clockwise.
 19. The system ofclaim 16, further comprising: a leash coupled with the spool, wherein apulling force on a first end of the leash causes the spool to rotate inthe first direction.
 20. The system of claim 12, wherein a portion ofthe first side support and a portion of the second side support areconfigured to be coupled in a fixed spatial relationship relative toeach other.
 21. A method comprising: providing an axle structureextending at least partially between a portion of a first support and aportion of a second support, the axle structure defining an axis ofrotation; providing an engagement plate circumscribing a portion of theaxle structure and rotatably fixed relative to the first support, theengagement plate translatable between a first engagement position and asecond engagement position in a direction parallel to the axis ofrotation, the engagement plate comprising one or more tooth protrusionsand one or more ramp recesses; providing a spool circumscribing aportion of the axle structure, the spool rotatably movable about theaxle structure, the spool comprising one or more tooth recessesconfigured to mate with the one or more tooth protrusions of theengagement plate responsive to a movement of the engagement plate intothe second position; providing a release ring at least partiallyrotatable between a first release ring position and a second releasering position about the axis of rotation, the release ring comprisingone or more ramps; and rotating, responsive to a predetermined movementof an actuator, the release ring from the first release ring positioninto the second release ring position, causing the one or more ramps tobecome misaligned with one or more of the ramp recesses and to push theengagement plate toward the first support and into the first engagementposition such that the tooth protrusions of the engagement platedisengage with the tooth recesses of the spool.